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Exhibition shows the
US¡¦ influence in martial-law Taiwan
Staff Writer, with CNA
A traveling exhibition, featuring the US¡¦ influence in Taiwan during a turbulent
historical era, opened in Taipei yesterday on the last leg of its tour.
Titled ¡§American Footsteps in Taiwan, 1950-1980,¡¨ the exhibition includes
historical photos, artifacts, documentaries and oral interviews that reflect a
close relationship between the US and Taiwan during a period of political
instability around the world.
The exhibition, organized by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), shows the
influence the US has had in the development of Taiwan¡¦s economy, education,
military forces and public health.
¡§It reminds us of the US¡¦ aid to Taiwan in the past, as our memory of those
periods is fading away,¡¨ said Ivan Wang, 33, a Taiwanese visitor to the
exhibition.
A special feature of the Taipei exhibition is that it is being held at the
National 228 Memorial Museum, the former site of the United States Information
Service (USIS). The USIS, later known as AIT¡¦s American Cultural Center, was
located at the site from 1959 to 2002.
During the Cold War when Taiwan was under martial law, the USIS served as a
prominent place for cultural development. It stored a huge collection of English
books, movies and exhibitions. This offered Taiwanese students access to
knowledge from the West and a chance to improve their English skills.
The touring exhibition, which started in December last year and is scheduled to
run through Dec. 31, is being held at the National Central Library in Taipei and
at other venues in New Taipei City (·s¥_¥«), Hsinchu, Taichung and Taitung.
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